Empowering Change: Follow-Up Projects from a Tc on Self-Awareness Through Active Citizenship
(…) For isn’t that what it means — this gift we call service?
This sense of collective worth?
To know when one falters there will always surface
A hand from shared Earth.
So let us remember within this mortal coil
Man is alike man beneath skin or soil.
Throbbing hearts pulsate- they echo common beats
Binding us together on these rustic cobblestone streets,
And within this boundless communion, we’ll find
The true meaning of mankind. — Ted Hughes
The joy of sharing your experience, skills, and knowledge is great, but when you see your work inspiring others, then you feel great satisfaction and that you are on the right track! In the spirit of active citizenship and self-awareness, the participants of our recent Erasmus+ training has taken bold steps to implement projects that foster inclusion, community building, and innovation.
None of this would have been possible without the support of the KA1 program, which opens horizons of participation and coexistence to young people from the European Union and beyond. We are grateful for this journey!
So, as a result of the multiplier actions of the Erasmus+ program entitled: Self-Awareness Through Active Citizenship, some of the participants have already implemented a series of actions in their communities, we welcomed them with great enthusiasm and we share them with you, while we expect other initiatives very soon!
From digital education to grassroots activism, these initiatives showcase the power of personal growth translating into societal impact. And, really when you’re training for change and civic engagement, that’s what you’d like to see happen. Below, we highlight some of their remarkable efforts.
Ksenia Lebedeva — Coordenadas Curiosas (Lisbon, Portugal)
Ksenia has officially launched an NGO in Lisbon, Coordenadas Curiosas, focusing on digital education, mental well-being, and human connection. Among her ambitious projects:
A 7-day training program on modern relationships, ethics, and personal
growth, featuring Elisabeth Kremer, a student of Carl Rogers.
A Capacity Building initiative with Ukraine, aiming to connect skilled refugees and migrants with mentoring opportunities in the EU job market.
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Smaller-scale projects, such as:
A 1-day AI chatbot development workshop for teenagers.
A 2-day art therapy workshop tackling social isolation.
Leopoldo Lizoón Díaz (Spain)
Leopoldo has been actively fostering local engagement and international collaboration:
Applied for a Solidarity Project promoting physical activity in nature for
vulnerable youth (though initially rejected, he plans to reapply in February).
Facilitated a peacebuilding and conflict transformation session in Turkey,
leading to new partnerships for future training on the topic.
Established connections with his city council’s youth office to enhance youth
participation and Erasmus+ opportunities.
Adri Mierzejewska (Łódź, Poland)
Adri’s initiatives focus on strengthening local identity and fostering social connections:
Her project Discover Łódź has been approved by the European
Commission, aiming to change stereotypes about the city through
collective action and guided walks.
Conducted bath salt-making workshops for mothers, including those with children facing serious illnesses.
Co-organizing a Speed Friending event to support individuals struggling to meet new people.
Currently participating in the Trainer Academy, furthering her skills as a
facilitator.
Ester Machado — Diverse-it Arts Festival (Lefkosa, Cyprus)
Ester has taken an artistic approach to social change through the Diverse-it Arts Festival, an initiative dedicated to fostering inclusion, creativity, and intercultural dialogue.
The festival’s core commitments include:
Interdisciplinary collaboration — merging art, culture, and social
transformation.
Accessibility — ensuring participation across all backgrounds and abilities.
Community building — transforming urban spaces into cultural hubs where diverse traditions and perspectives meet.
The festival serves as a space for artistic expression, dialogue, and collective vision, using creativity to bridge divides and inspire change.
Conclusion: A Collective Step Forward
Each of these projects reflects the essence of active citizenship — engaging
communities, addressing societal challenges, and fostering meaningful connections.
From peacebuilding to digital education, from urban storytelling to artistic inclusion, these initiatives prove that personal growth and self-awareness can lead to tangible, transformative change.
We are immensely proud of our Erasmus+ alumni and look forward to seeing how their projects evolve. If you’re inspired to collaborate, participate, or support their initiatives, reach out and become part of this movement for change!
#ActiveCitizenship #ErasmusPlus #SocialImpact #CommunityBuilding
